I've figured out a way to receive voicemails through email on my BB. It requires a $28 piece of software (14 day free trial), your home computer or dedicated server must be always on, and you will need to use Gmail or upload to an FTP server. There are no monthly fees. There are several steps involved, so this is not for the faint of heart!

1) Setup a free account at Gizmo Project www.gizmoproject.com
This is a VOIP provider similar to Skype, but with free SIP service. Download and install the software. Click "Edit" -- "My Profile". There is a section with your SIP number 1-747-XXX-XXXX. Make note of this number.

2) Sign up for a free call-in number at www.IPkall.com
This will give you a free Washington State based phone number. You can have another phone number forwarded to this number, or give this number out to friends & family.
Settings:
SIP Phone Number: 1-747-XXX-XXXX (from Gizmo)
SIP Proxy: proxy01.sipphone.com
Password: Create a 4-Digit Password

This method gives you a free call-in number, which works free with Gizmo through SIP. Then the IVM software receives your calls and forwards the messages to your email. You still cannot use the attachment directly through your BB email, but it can be opened up using GMail, or your messages can be uploaded by FTP, and have a link forwarded to you.

IVM Answering Atttendant should work with any SIP VOIP service. Also, you could use it with a landline attached to your computer. Messages play on the 8700, since they are encoded above 32kHz. Confusing, but it works!

I have used the IVM software for a couple of weeks and also found a work around for the Wav attachment issue. If you use the website that IVM provides (you have to leave the software running / or as a service) and get yourself a dyndns or other dynamic address if you dont have a static IP. You can visit the website on the BB and listen the the wav files through the browser. It works perfectly. Any questions on how to setup the mailbox retrieval website. I will be glad to help.

I've disocvered a better way of doing this, which is free and does not involve running any software. Also, the messages are MP3s, meaning smaller file sizes than IVM. These messages play fine on the 8700.

This all sounds real kewl but excuse my ignorance for asking BUT why do this when I can hold 1 down and go to my VM?

Corporate voicemail systems now have the ability to send the voicemail that I receive on my phone at work to my e-mail with the actual spoken voicemail as a WAV attachment. How cool would it be to be able to listen to it on the BB? (hint: very)

Since I don't have a voice plan on my T-Mobile BB, this allows me to receive my cell voicemails by email on my BB, or of course by dialing in to the number with my cell phone.

You could feasibly have other phone systems, such as your office, forward to this free SIP number for voicemail, as long as you have the ability to change the call forwarding functions on your phone system.

The biggest problems with this solution are:
- To hear the message on your BB, you must use the browser.
- The message plays through the loud BB speaker.